2016

There will be a free food giveaway Saturday March 12th.  It will start no later than 10A in the parking lot of the First Methodist Church 502 West High Street Woodbury.  Please bring your own box, laundry basket, or container to put the food in.  Everyone is welcome.  This will be a drive thru distribution.  Cars should line up on High Street coming up the hill from College Street.  Each car will be directed through the parking lot of First Methodist and out through the First Baptist Church parking lot.  There will be a limit of food for two families for each car, in order to ensure that those at the end of the line receive more food.  For more information contact the church office at 615-563-2135.
 

Cannon County High School was on lockdown this morning after the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department investigated a threat made by a juvenile and reported to authorities Wednesday night.
After the potential threat was reported, Sheriff’s Detectives along with Cannon County Sheriff Darrell Young, Cannon County School Resource Officers and the Woodbury Police Department were present at the school when it opened to begin interviewing the other juveniles that were allegedly named involved in some way with the threat that was made.  No arrests have been made at this time.  No weapons or anything were found to be on the campus after a search.  Cannon County High School has been deemed safe and the school day has continued on.  
Parents are allowed to pick up their children today from the High School if they desire.
The Cannon County Schools has issued the following statement in regards to today’s event.
The safety of the students in Cannon County Schools is our main concern.  In an effort to ensure the safety of our students, an investigation was conducted in regards to a threat at Cannon County High School this morning.  In order to complete the investigation, Cannon County High School will be closed Friday.  Parents have been notified.  The incident is under investigation by the local law enforcement officials.  Any information outside of this statement will originate from Cannon County Law enforcement officials.  End of statement.
It is important to note that the juvenile that made these threats has been identified and is currently in a facility away from the public society. 

The Woodbury Board of Aldermen Tuesday night approved several permits in conjunction of the Cannon County Good Ole Days May 20th and 21st.  The use of Dillon Park for school events in connection with the event on May 20th was approved as was the route for the 5K Run for Cannon County Good Ole Days.  The Run will take place in the morning on May 21st at the Arts Center and end at the Arts Center.  The parade permit was also approved for the Cannon County Good Ole Days parade to take place May 21st at 12 noon.
One other approval of the Alderman included the adoption of Resolution 01-2016 a resolution authorizing the town of Woodbury to submit an application to participate in the Tennessee Downtowns program which is a downtown revitalization education and grant program offered by the Tennessee Main Street Program and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.  The grant dollar amount if awarded to Woodbury will be $15,000.

The Cannon County Board Of Education will meet Thursday for their regular meeting.  On the agenda will be a report from SCOPE Conference participants Emory Larson and Kellie Payne.
Bryan Cofer will address the Board concerning the E-Rate Category 2 Proposal and the E-Rate Internet Updates/Decisions
The Board will be asked to approve a $6,000 Bonnaroo Grant for walking tracks.
They will discuss the use of single wide trailer at West Side.  
Approve elementary basketball and elementary cheerleading policies.
Board member Shelley Walkup will address the Board concerning middle school grade sports and options for Veteran’s Memorial Gym.
Board member Bruce Daniel will address the Board concerning the drainage problem and existing window problems at Woodland School
Board member Tim Powers will give an update on the TSBA’s Day on the Hill.
The meeting will take place at the Woodbury Grammar School Cafeteria  at 6:30.

 Tennessee farmers who grow organic crops and have become USDA certified can now qualify for a cost share reimbursement for the costs of their certification.
Certified organic producers can apply to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for a 75 percent cost share up to a maximum of $750. The money may help defray costs related to receiving and maintaining organic certification, including inspection costs.
Organic operations that have achieved certification since Oct. 1, 2015 meet the time qualification to seek imbursement, as do organic operations that become certified between now and Sept. 30, 2016.
Organic certification typically costs small farm producers between $600 and $1,000 annually.  Costs increase based on product and sales volume.
“The latest USDA census results show the continued interest in organic agriculture among consumers, producers and businesses,” TDA director of Market Development Debbie Ball said. “When we respond to consumer interest with programs that help our farmers participate more competitively in these trends, everyone benefits. Farms increase their incomes, their rural communities thrive because of it, and Tennesseans get greater access to the fresh, local products they want.”
The 2016 cost share application is available at http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/topic/ag-farms-organics
For more information about USDA organic certification and cost share reimbursement, visit https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic.

At approximately 3:07 P.M. today a shooting occurred at the Greystone Apartments located at 319 West Lokey Street in Murfreesboro. The shooting happened in the rear of the “A” building which resulted from an argument over a marijuana drug deal. The crime scene is now secure and is being processed.
 
The victim was shot in the leg and transported by ambulance to St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital by the Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of family members.
 
A possible suspect has been developed and the investigators are following up on all leads.
 
Rutherford County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Crime Stoppers operates Monday-Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. and may be contacted at (615) 893-STOP (7867). Witnesses that do not wish to remain anonymous may also call the Criminal Investigations Division at (615) 893-2717.
 
If you have need of any further information, please contact me at the above daytime office number.
 

TSSAA high school basketball tournaments are returning like robins this spring to the campus of Middle Tennessee State University, and the university is making temporary parking and traffic changes to accommodate the guests.
TheTSSAA Division I High School Basketball Tournaments are set March 9-12 for the girls and March 16-19 for the boys inside Murphy Center’s Hale Arena on the northwest side of the MTSU campus.
As a result, all motorists should be aware of several factors affecting campus roads and parking.
MTSU’s East Main Street and Rutherford Boulevard entrances once again will be the most convenient campus entry points during the tournaments, university officials said.
The Greenland Drive parking lot will again be reserved for TSSAA ticketholders during both tournaments, and vehicles must pay $5 to park there.
The university will reserve parking during the tournaments in the Middle Tennessee Boulevard (Woodfin), Cason-Kennedy Nursing Building, Holmes and Smith Field lots for vehicles displaying appropriate campus permits. Visitors with appropriate permits also will be allowed to park in those lots.
The Champion Way entrance at Greenland Drive will be closed March 9-12 and March 16-19, and eastbound Greenland Drive traffic will be directed to Rutherford Boulevard. Campus traffic can still exit via Champion Way onto Greenland.
Faulkinberry Drive and Normal Way will be closed to accommodate TSSAA team buses. No parking or street access will be available.
Motorists should allow extra time to reach their destinations because of the ongoing road construction on Middle Tennessee Boulevard and the additional tournament traffic congestion around campus. They also can use the university’s perimeter parking lots, including the Tennessee Livestock Pavilion and Rutherford lots, during the tournaments.
MTSU will be on spring break March 7-12, during the first TSSAA tournament. No classes will be held, but university offices will be open regular hours during the break.
All other events scheduled on campus during the tournaments will be allowed first-come, first-served parking in any of MTSU’s free lots, based on availability.
For more information about MTSU traffic, parking and road closures, call the MTSU Parking and Transportation Services at 615-898-2850 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Central time. For more information about the TSSAA state tournaments, visit www.tssaa.org or call 615-889-6740

The town of Woodbury Mayor and Board of Alderman will meet tonight for their regular monthly meeting.  On the agenda tonight will be to approve the parade permit for the Cannon County Good Ole Days and the route of the 5K run for Cannon County Ole Days.  The Mayor and Board of Alderman will also be asked to approve the use of Dillon Park for school events in connection with Cannon County Good Ole Days. and to consider the adoption of Resolution 01-2016 which is a resolution authorizing the town of Woodbury to submit an application to participate in the Tennessee Downtowns program, a downtown revitalization education and grant program offered by the Tennessee Main Street Program and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.  The meeting will take place tonight at 7:00 at the Nolan Dude Northcutt Building formerly known as City Hall.
 

Until a recent outbreak of Zika virus disease was associated with babies born with microcephaly, many had not heard of the birth defect. Tennessee Department of Health data show approximately 45 to 50 cases occur in Tennessee each year. Babies with microcephaly are born with heads that are smaller than expected. This can be associated with developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, problems with hearing or vision and seizures.   
One of every 33 babies born in the United States has one or more conditions that affect the structure of the body and development. These range from minor problems to serious issues that cause death. While some may be linked to genetic backgrounds, many can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyles and behaviors before and during pregnancy, including taking vitamins such as folic acid to prevent certain brain and spine defects.
To reduce the possibility of Zika-associated birth defects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises pregnant women in any trimester to consider postponing travel to areas with Zika. CDC also recommends women trying to get pregnant and their male partners talk with their healthcare providers before traveling to areas with Zika. All travelers, male and female, should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
“Zika virus disease has raised awareness about preventing birth defects and prompted many to become more knowledgeable about the importance of preparing for and having a healthy pregnancy,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “Our stable advice is this:  Don’t wait to start healthy behaviors until you find out you’re pregnant. Have conversations with your doctor about what you can do to make sure your body is ready for a best start for your baby. Because approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned, this is an important conversation for any woman of child-bearing age to have with her clinician. While we strongly advocate planned pregnancies, we also emphasize planning for the unplanned, because it happens often.”
“Women can never start too early in planning for a healthy baby,” said Michael Warren, MD, MPH, TDH assistant commissioner of Family Health and Wellness. “By the time many women learn they are pregnant, much of their baby’s important development is already underway. All of our organs start to develop between four to eight weeks, and some women may not know they are pregnant until after that time. It is incredibly important for women of child-bearing age to make healthy lifestyle and behavior changes before they become pregnant, reducing the likelihood of preventable birth defects if they become pregnant.”
The Tennessee Department of Health offers these suggestions for a healthy pregnancy:
If you are pregnant or could become pregnant, consider avoiding travel to countries currently experiencing an outbreak of Zika virus disease. The list of affected areas includes many countries in the Caribbean and South and Central America. The list changes frequently; to see the most current list, go to www.cdc.gov/zika/.
Take folic acid every day (400 micrograms daily beginning at least 30 days in advance of becoming pregnant) to help prevent birth defects of the spine and brain. A single serving of many breakfast cereals can provide the amount you need. Find a list of fortified cereals at www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/folicacid/cereals.html.
Women with diabetes or other medical conditions that require medication should talk with their health care providers before attempting a pregnancy. Poor control of diabetes immediately before and during pregnancy can cause birth defects in the baby and pose serious health threats to the mother.
Some medications, such as Accutane or isotretinoin used to treat acne can increase the risk of birth defects. Discuss all medications you have used with your doctor, including over-the-counter medications and any herbal or dietary supplements you may take, to be sure none would contribute to birth defects.
Don’t be hesitant to ask your healthcare provider about whether the use of any medication during pregnancy is in the best interest of your health and the health of your baby. Some powerful drugs, including those prescribed by a clinician and those obtained illegally, can cause neonatal abstinence syndrome, NAS. This is a condition in which the baby has withdrawal symptoms after being exposed to certain substances. The kinds of medications that may cause withdrawal include opioids, which are painkillers, or benzodiazepines, which help with anxiety or sleep. Illicit drugs such as cocaine may also cause withdrawal.
Avoid nicotine from all tobacco products and avoid alcohol.
Achieving a healthy weight before becoming pregnant can reduce the chances of birth defects. Obese women are at higher risk of having a baby with defects of the brain or spine and some heart defects.
Certain infections during pregnancy can cause birth defects. It’s important not to touch pet rodents and cat litter, not to drink unpasteurized milk, to cook meat thoroughly, to wash your hands often and to avoid sick people.
For more information about preventing birth defects, visit the Center of Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/NCBDDD/birthdefects/facts.html.

The Cannon County Republican Party will meet Monday night March 7, 2016 at 6:00 pm at the Cannon County Courthouse. 

 
The public is invited and encouraged to attend.